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Mexico Sues Dozens of Gas Companies Over Price Fixing

By  |  April 26, 2026

Mexico’s National Antitrust Commission, known as CNA, has initiated a collective lawsuit against 53 liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas) companies, seeking compensation for consumers who were allegedly harmed by years of coordinated pricing practices in the sector.

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    The legal action aims to compel the companies to provide discounts on LP gas to households in affected regions, according to a statement from the CNA. The regulator indicated that the proposed remedy is designed to directly compensate consumers who may have paid inflated prices due to anticompetitive behavior in the distribution market.

    The case builds on findings from Mexico’s former competition authority, COFECE, which concluded an extensive investigation in 2022. That probe resulted in sanctions against 53 companies and 34 individuals accused of engaging in coordinated actions to fix, raise, and manipulate LP gas prices. Per a statement from COFECE at the time, the companies also divided customers and geographic markets to limit competition.

    Authorities said the alleged conduct spanned multiple regions, including Mexico City, parts of the State of Mexico, Culiacán, Colima, and Tamaulipas. According to a statement, these practices affected a critical household energy market relied upon by millions of Mexican families.

    Related: Mexican Antitrust Regulator Targets 21 Banks Over Alleged Credit Card Fee Collusion

    COFECE estimated that the collusion generated damages totaling more than MX$13.39 billion (approximately US$772.8 million) between 2007 and 2019. The regulator imposed fines amounting to MX$2.41 billion, citing the scale of harm, the deliberate nature of the conduct, and the essential role of LP gas in everyday life.

    The companies involved were linked to several prominent business groups in the sector, including Soni, Nieto, Tomza, Simsa, Global, Uribe, and Metropolitano. According to a statement from COFECE’s 2022 resolution, these firms allegedly coordinated to preserve market shares and avoid competition, resulting in reduced supply conditions and higher prices for consumers.

    While the earlier enforcement action focused on financial penalties, the CNA’s new lawsuit seeks broader restitution. The regulator is asking the courts to mandate corrective measures that would directly benefit consumers, primarily through price reductions on LP gas in the impacted areas.

    According to a statement, the CNA emphasized that the goal of the lawsuit is not only to address past violations but also to restore fairness in a market considered vital to public welfare.

    Source: Mexico Business